Focus On Increasing Competitiveness, Minister Of Trade Zulhas: If MSME Ecosystems Go UP, The Economy Will Rais Up

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the government supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to advance through four pillars of increasing MSME competitiveness.

The four pillars of increasing the competitiveness of MSMEs in question are synergizing MSMEs, modern retail, local market, and banking in one ecosystem.

This was conveyed by Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan when meeting with MSME actors in Binjai City, North Sumatra, today, Tuesday, January 17.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said that the government's support to encourage MSMEs to advance to this class is very important.

This is because the formation of a good MSME exosystem will have an impact on national economic growth.

"If the ecosystem is built, the economy will also creep up," said Trade Minister Zulhas.

He hopes that MSMEs in Binjai City can work together to supply their products to modern retailers in North Sumatra.

This includes synergizing through various trainings to increase capacity until they are finally able to penetrate the digital market.

"We hope that Binjai City MSMEs can also synergize with modern retail, local market, and banking to continue developing MSMEs in Binjai City," he said.

Zulhas said the government also supports SME financing, among others, through cooperation with banks in the People's Business Credit (KUR) scheme.

One of the exhibitors who is also the founder of the TAN Collection and Binjai Rambutan Group, Tan Darwania Makatita expressed her appreciation and asked for government support to continue developing the Binjai City MSMEs.

"We ask for support for the productivity of MSMEs in the TAN Collection studio in particular, and all MSMEs in Binjai City in general, so that MSMEs in Binjai City are growing," said Tan.

During this visit, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir and Inspector General of the Ministry of Trade Did Noordiatmoko were also present.

They also chatted with MSME players, who mostly engaged in textiles and food and drinks.